Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — Characteristics of Dvāpara and Kali Yugas

Devanagari script

ते तु ब्राह्मणविन्यासैः स्वरक्रमविपर्ययैः संहृता ऋग्यजुःसाम्नां संहितास्तैर्महर्षिभिः //

Transliteration

te tu brāhmaṇavinyāsaiḥ svarakramaviparyayaiḥ saṃhṛtā ṛgyajuḥsāmnāṃ saṃhitāstairmaharṣibhiḥ //

Translation

But those great sages compiled and arranged the Saṃhitās of the Ṛg-, Yajur-, and Sāma-Vedas, ordering the Brāhmaṇa portions and regulating variations of accent and sequence.

Word by Word

• ते (te): they

• तु (tu): but/indeed

• ब्राह्मण-विन्यासैः (brāhmaṇa-vinyāsaiḥ): by the arrangement/placement of the Brāhmaṇa portions

• स्वर-क्रम-विपर्ययैः (svara-krama-viparyayaiḥ): by variations/reversals in accent (svara) and sequence/order (krama)

• संहृता (saṃhṛtā): collected/compiled/brought together

• ऋग्-यजुः-साम्नाम् (ṛg-yajuḥ-sāmnām): of the Ṛg, Yajus, and Sāman (Vedas)

• संहिताः (saṃhitāḥ): the Saṃhitās/collections

• तैः (taiḥ): by them

• महर्षिभिः (maharṣibhiḥ): by the great seers.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Maharishis
• Rigveda
• Yajurveda
• Samaveda
• Brahmana (Vedic texts)

Tags

• Veda
• Shruti
• Saṃhitā
• Textual Transmission
• Recension

FAQs

What does this verse reveal about the creation or dissolution (Pralaya)?

Indirectly, it points to post-crisis preservation: after disruption, the sages re-compiled the Vedic Saṃhitās using precise systems of arrangement, ensuring sacred knowledge survives across cosmic cycles.

How does this verse relate to the duties of a King or Householder?

It supports the dharmic duty of protecting and transmitting śāstra: rulers and householders sustain institutions (teachers, reciters, rituals) that keep the Vedas accurately preserved through disciplined recitation and study.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it emphasizes correct Vedic recitation—accent (svara) and order (krama) are essential for yajña accuracy; the verse is about textual/ritual precision rather than temple architecture or Vāstu rules.